Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers accepts captain Steven Gerrard is no longer the driving force he was but insists it is wrong to write him off entirely.
And despite Gerrard's former team-mate Jamie Carragher suggesting it was time for the 34-year-old to be released from the defensive role which he believes he is unsuitable for, Rodgers has no intention of doing so.
Gerrard’s performances have drawn much criticism this season but the Liverpool boss defended himself against accusations he has continued to select the ex-England midfielder on reputation alone.
“I judge Steven on merit. I think the spotlight he has been under is incredible. Everything for us is based around being a team,” said Rodgers. “If people are expecting Steven Gerrard to be the type of player he was 10 years ago that is sadly not the case.
“He has slowly been adapting to a position I felt he could benefit the team but a player who was scoring 15 goals a season and making 13 or 14 assists . . . he is not that type of player (any more).
“It is hugely unfair he is judged at that level. He is a wonderful player and I can quite safely say he is the best player I have worked with in terms of footballing mentality and the loyalty he has shown to this club is without question.
“I don’t deal so much in (being) sentimental. There is nothing sentimental in me picking Steven Gerrard. He is coming towards the latter part of his career but he still has a valuable contribution to make.
“He can play three games in a week but he won’t be able to play it to the level he would like or I would like and it is my job to manage that.”
That last comment suggests Rodgers is prepared to rest his captain against Ludogorets in Sofia on Wednesday, which would be a second successive Champions League benching for the midfielder having come on for the final 20 minutes against Real Madrid in the Bernabeu last time out.
In Bulgaria the Liverpool boss is trying to arrest a four-match losing streak which has put his own position under scrutiny, with his side well off the pace domestically and in danger of not making the knockout stages in their first time back in the Champions League for five years.
For the time being the Northern Irishman has the backing of owners Fenway Sports Group, but if things go awry in Bulgaria and Basel happen to get a result at home to already-qualified Real Madrid, Liverpool could be out with a match still to play and then the pressure will really increase.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone (at FSG) as of yet. I’ve had a few messages but they have always been supportive of me,” Rodgers added. “My focus is on getting Liverpool to win games and I know that is what will make them most happy.
“I always believe losing can be the making of you as a player and a manager in terms of how you learn from it and move on from it. When you don’t have so much coaching time on the field it is mostly psychological what you want to achieve.
“You never dwell too much on the past - anyone can make mistakes - but for us it is about being in the present and focusing on the next game. If we dwell too much on the weekend (a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace) there is no way we could go out and play.
“It is about getting confidence into players, talking with players, ensuring the environment at the training ground is still a happy place to be. My job as the leader of the team and the club is vital. We will always experience disappointment but no matter how you feel you are one of the pillars of the football club.
“The players are looking to you for that response and ability to motivate and that is very important in my role.”
Liverpool have lost their last three Champions League games - they have never lost four in succession in the same season and never been defeated in all three away games in a European group stage.
Goals have been a problem with the two they scored against Ludogorets on match day one back on September 16 their only efforts so far - and one of those was an added-time penalty winner from Gerrard.
